Abstract: There is disclosed a dual purpose lighter for household use, which comprises a box-like housing containing a spark generating cartridge and a gas supply reservoir, the box-like housing also having a window formed therein for accommodating a triggering pushbutton. The triggering pushbutton has a selector effective to occupy either a first position, whereby the pushbutton will only trigger the cartridge, or a second position, whereby on operating the pushbutton, the cartridge is triggered and the delivery valve of the reservoir activated to issue a flame from the lighter.